Valve.



E E. DEUINGER.

VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27.1915.

Patented Oct 22, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

E. E, OETTINGER.

VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.2T. 191s.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I v. I,

o e o o m 1 4 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

EDWARD E. OETTINGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VALVE.

Application filed March 27, 1915.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD E. OETTINGER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, county of Cookgand State of Illinois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Valves, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to valves.

My invention particularly relates to valves for steam, hot water and hotair radiators, although it is not limited to such use, and it has forits objects the elimination of packing, the provision of a steam-tightclosure, improved means for operating the valve, a novel valveconstruction, whereby the valve is rendered self-packing, the provisionof novel means whereby the valve may be operated by foot pressure andthus do away with the necessity of repeatedly turning the valve wheel orhandle commonly employed on steam and radiator valves; further, toprovide a novel self-latching look ing device for the operating means,and also to provide a cap, avalve-stem, and a spring arranged andadapted to co6perate in an improved manner, whereby the valve isselfopening and adapted to hold itself in an open position and may beclosed, or partially so, by the pressure of the foot on the cap andagainst the action of the spring, the cap being locked by theself-latching device.

My improvements provide a packless, selfopening valve adapted for quickand easy opening or closing by foot manipulation and for the preventionof any leakage of steam.

I am aware that my invention is susceptible of many modifications, bothin its valve structure, its operating means, latching means, and otherfeatures and parts. Some of those modifications are set forth fullyhereinafter and are shown in the accompanying drawings; others willsuggest thenr selves to those skilled in the art who may have myinvention before them. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the detailsof con struction shown in those forms which I have illustratedanddescribed, unless so specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical crosssection through the valve bend or shell andthe operating mechanism, the valve being closed;

Fig. 2, a cross-section on line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a horizontal section on line 8-3. Fig. 1;

Fig. I, a detail of the self-locking device;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1918.

Serial N 0. 17,443.

Fig. 5, a detail section thereof;

Fig.6, a perspective sectional view of the valve-turning device;

Fig. 7, a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 8, detail views of the star wheel and a portion of the operatingcap;

Fig. 9, a fragmentary view portion of the valve;

Fig. 10, a detail section showing the lower pivotal connection of thevalve;

Fig. 11, a detail view showing the packing-grooves or channels in therib at the bottom of the valve shell or casing;

Fig. 12, a detail view showing the lower pivotal connection of the valvewhen the latter is open;

Fig. 13, a detail plan of the valve, dotted of the upper linesrepresenting the depending portions 6 at the lower pivotal part thereof;

Fig. 14:, a detail of the spring;

Fig. 15, a detail of a modified latch;

Fig. 16, detail views of different forms of Sackless ribs and channelswhich may be use Fig. 17, a detail section of a modified valve operatingmechanism; and

Fig. 18, a view of another modification.

The valve shell or, casing 1 is. provided with internal screw-threads atits top as shown at 2 for the connection of the fitting or shell 3 whichcarries the valve-operating devices. The fitting 3 has a concavity 4-extending to the bottom thereof and above this is a chamber 5.'Rotatable in the concavity 4 and chamber 5 is the valve-turning device6 which is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The lower portion thereofis of frusto-conical shape, as shown at 7 and fits snugly and rotatablyin the concavity 4 and is provided with a socket 8 to receive thesquared upper end 9 of the butterfly valve 10, whereby said valve turnswith the memher 6. The member 6 has a flange 11 which bears upon theshoulder 12 of the fitting 3. Projecting upwardly from the member 6 is astem 13 which has two or more inclined or spiral ribs or feathers 14which are of such a pitchthat there will be imparted to the valve 10aturning movement of ninety degrees under the influence of the operatingdevices to effect full closing or full opening of said valve andpermittingpositioning thereof at any intermediate point. Containedwithin the chamber 5 is a convolute spring 15 (Fig. 14) whose base restsupon the upper face of the valve-turning device 6 tion is circular or,rather, of annular form and provided with a concavity or well 17 whichreceives the stem 13 and is provided with a spiral or inclined channelor groove 18 into which the rib 1a fits so as to be adapted to permitrelative sliding of the cap 16 and the stem 13. If two of the ribs 1d beused, there will be employed two of the grooves 18. The spring 15 bearsagainst the lower face of the cap 16 and by its expansion tends to holdthe operating device 6 snugly rotatable in its concavity 1 so as toprevent escape of steam and also obviating the necessity of employingpacking, thus eliminating a troublesome and expensive feature of valves.The form of the device 6 and cavity a, in connection with the action ofthe spring 15, takes up all lost motion and wear. The spring retractsthe cap upwardly, as shown in Fig. 1. The spring 15, by holding thevalve turning device 6 snugly in concavity 4 insures a smooth, uniformwearing of the contacting surfaces of these parts and prevents'theescape of steam. In any suitable manner 1 provide a rib and slot guidingconnection between the cap 16 and the interior of the fitting 3. This isillustrated as consisting of grooves 19 in the outer face of the innerdepending portion of the cap 16 and ribs 20 carried by the fitting 3 andprojecting into the chamber 5. Such construction being employed, it isnecessary to provide notches 21 in the member 6 so that the said membermay be entered in the chamber 5 and fitted into its seat a before thecap 16 is placed in position. After the member 6 has 1 thus beenlocated, the groove 21 may be filled,

' to hold the trunnions 26 in position.

below. the lower ends of the ribs 20, with some material such as Babbittmetal 22 so that the member 6 is then prevented from coming out ofposition.

One or more pin-and-slot guiding connections 23 may be employed toprevent the cap 16 from becoming detached from the fitting 3.

Referring to Figs. 1, a, 5 and 8, I there show locking or latching meansfor holding the cap in any position to which it may be depressed andcorrespondingly holding the valve 10 in any given position. The fitting3 is provided with a rack 24: and the cap 16-carries a freely rotatable(except when checked) star wheel or pinion 25 which has trunnions 26journaled in bearings 27 in the cap 16, pillow blocks or bearing members28, held by suitable screws 29, serving So long as free to rotate, thestar wheel 25 will 'not lock the cap, but immediately a check ing actionis exerted on the star wheel, the cap will be locked. To that end Iprovide a latch 30 pivoted at 31 to a slight extension or lug on theside of the cap 16 so that the said latch may be swung to one side. Thetop 30 of latch 30 lies below the upper surface of cap 16. The latch isprovided with an arm 32' which is pivoted at 33 and is adapted to swingin an outward direction only. The slight play that the arm 32 has,enables the star wheel to be caught in any position and consequently thecap can be held down to any point where it is depressed. The inclinedarrangement of latch 30 (Fig. 4.) enables the arm to be released by meredownward pressure on the top 30 and when pressure is removed, the latchautomatically restores itself to the locking position shown in Fig. 4:.

As a modified form of latch, I provide the construction shown in Fig.15, where a pawl 30 is pivoted to the cap 16 and has a stop 30 whichwill engage the extension of cap 16 to which the pawl is pivoted andprevent the latch from moving so far over that it will not fall into theteeth at by gravity.

Normally the valve 10 is open. It may be partially or wholly closed bymerely pressing the foot down upon cap 16 by which action the star wheel25 turns outwardly or in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 5), thusswinging arm 32 outwardly and allowing free outward and downwardmovement of the star wheel. As soon as the pressure on cap 16 isremoved, the expan-' sion of spring 15 causes a reverse movement of thestar wheel 25 and the forcing of arm 32 back against cap 16, thuslocking the star wheel and hence the cap 16 and valve 10. When the valveis closed, or partially closed, and it is desired to open it, merelytouching the latch 30 with the foot will release the star wheel andthereupon the spring 15 will force the cap 16 upwardly and,through theconnection let, 18, the member 6 will be turned and the valve 10correspondingly turned open.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 3, 10, 11, 12 and 13, and particularly to Fig.11, the interior of the shell 1 is provided with a rib 34 which "iscontinuous except at the upper part where and appear in full lines atthe left of the gudgeon 36, while at the other side, or at the right,they are in dotted lines because they are in the opposite face of therib. The rib is beveled away from the valve 10, as

shown at 37, such bevel being, in each instance, on the opposite side ofthe rib from the face which has the channels 35. The rib 34 at thebottom is cut away as at 38 to accommodate the hub 10 of the valve 10.The gudgeon 36 projects upwardly from the upper surface of the cut-awayportion 38 and is provided with a collar 36 which fits in a concavity inthe lower end of the hub 10*. The top of the cut-away portion 38, andconsequently the collar 36 is above the level 1 of the interior of theshell 1 at the bottom thereof so that the pivotal connection of thevalve is raised suificiently high to avoid access of condensation waterthereto and I thereby eliminate danger of rusting in the pivots. Toaccommodate drainage of condensation water, I provide at one point only,the transverse channel 39 which is exposed when the valve is open sothat the water can drain therethrough, but when the valve is closed, arib or flange 40 carried by the valve, enters the drain 39 and closesit, Figs. 3 and 13.

The channels 35 are cross connected by channels 41 disposed near thecut-out portion 38. The lowermost channels 35 are extended andcommunicated at 35 with the cut-out portion 38.

The valve 10 is provided with ribs 42 which fit the channels 35, 41 and35, such ribs being positioned and formed to correspond with and fitinto these channels. At the upper end of the valve, Figs. 1 and 9,

' there are provided upright branch ribs -13 connected to the ribs 42,and the rib 34 has corresponding channels which bridge the channels 35and receive the said ribs 43. Around the portion 9, the valve 10 is cutaway as at 44 to receive the lower end of the member 6. This provides asealed joint between the valve, its seat, and the turning device 6.

The ribs and channels obviate the necessity of using packing as theyprevent the leakage of steam past the valve. If the steam leaks past onechannel and rib re ceived therein, it is arrested by the next channeland rib. At the lower part of the valve, as will be seen from Fig. 11,and the upper part of the valve, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 9,the upright ribs and channels in conjunction with the opposite or crossribs and channels, prevent access of the steam to the pivotal points ofthe valve.

I do not limit myself to any particular cross-sectional outline of thechannels and ribs which fit into them, nor do I consider it essentialthat the channels be on the rib 34 because the. shape of these channelsand ribs may be varied and the ribs might be provided on the main rib 34and the channels in the valve itself. Furthermore, the ribs may beformed integral or they may be attached parts connected either to themain rib 34 or to the valve 10. The rib 34 may be a separate unitattached to casing 1, instead of integral therewith. In Fig. 16, I haveshown some of the cross-sectional shapes these ribs and channels mayassume, but I am well aware that other forms could be resorted to.

On one side of the rib or flange 34 and on a given side of the pivot orgudgeon 36, the valve 10is extended down below the level of the-cut-awayportion 38, as will be seen from Figs. 10, 12 and 13 and also in Fig. 1;the end of the valve, that is, the vertical edge appearing, Figs. 1 and10, at 45 on the side nearest the observer and the corresponding part oredge being shown by dottedlines 46 on the far side of the rib 34. Whenthe valve 10 is fully open, the relative appearance of the parts is asshown in Fig. 12 and when closed, as in Fig. 10.

Referring to Fig. 17, I have shown a modified operating mechanism for areciprocating or globe valve. The cap 16 is directly connected to thestem 13 which carries the valve, not shown. The parts are shown inclosed position with the spring 15 under full compression. It isdesirable to employ a packing gland 47 for the stem 13 held down byplate 47 screwed down on turning device 6. The latch of either Fig. 5 orFig. 15 can be employed.

In Fig. 18, the valve operating mechanism is preferably employed withthe stem 13 of a reciprocating valve, the object being to not only movethe stem longitudinally, but to turn it so that the valve will be seatedby a grinding or twisting action and will be correspondingly unseated.The cap 16 is prevented from turning on the fitting 3 by thepin-and-slot connection 23 and it has riband-groove connections 19 withthe fitting 3. It is adapted to impart a turning movement to the stem 13by a spiral rib 14 en gaging a slot in the cap 16, as in Fig. 1. Ballbearings 48 may be interposed between the head 49 of stem 13 and the cap16. When the cap 16 is depressed, it bodily shifts the stem 13 with itshead 49 and at the same time imparts a turning movement to said stem 13In the modifications of Figs. 17 and 18, the latching mechanism holdsthe valve fully opened, fully closed, or in any intermediate position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a valve, and a hollow fitting, of a concave seatin the hollow fitting, a tapered packing device received within theconcave seat, valve-operating means comprising a reciprocatory pushmember arranged concentric to the valve and adapted to actuate the valveon both its advance and retraction movements,

a spring interposed between and bearing on the tapered packing deviceand the push member for the purpose of retracting the push member andfor holding the packing device in the concavity, and a releasable latchadapted for securing the push member wherever positioned, to therebyhold the valve in any desired position.

2. The combination with a valve, and a hollow fitting, of a concave seatin the hollow fitting, a tapered packing device received within theconcave seat, valve-operating means comprising a reciprocatory pushmember arrangedconcentric to the valve and adapted to actuate the valveon both its advance and retraction movements, a helical or convolutespring interposed between and bearing on the tapered packing deviceandthe push member for the purpose of retracting the push member and forholding the packing device in the concavity, and a releasable latchadapted for securing the push member wherever positioned, to therebyhold the valve in any desired position.

3. The combination with a valve, and a hollow fittting, of a concaveseat in the hollow fitting, a rotatory tapered valve turning deviceseated in the concave seat and adapted to turn therein, a reciprocatorypush member movable in relation to said valve turning device, anoperative connec tion between the push member and the valve turningdevice, whereby the latter is turned by the former, a spring interposedbetween the valve turning device and the push memher and serving thedouble function of retracting the push member and holding the valveturning device in the concavity, and means for holding the push memberin clifferent positions in opposition to the action of the spring.

l. The combination with a valve, of operating means therefor comprisinga rotary valve-turning device having a stem, a stationary fitting, apush member telescoping into said fitting and also telescoping with thestem of said valve-turning device, a spiral groove or slot and a memberconstituting an operative connection between the push-member and saidstem whereby the valve-turning device is turned by the reciprocations ofthe push-member, a helical or convolute spring contained within saidfitting between the push-member and valve-turnng device and surroundingsaid stem thereof, said spring being adapted to retract the push-memberand to hold the valve-turning device seated, and means for holding thepush-member in opposition to action of. said spring.

5. The combination with a valve, of operating means therefor comprisinga rotary valve-turning device having a stem, a stationary fitting, apush-member telescoping into said fitting and also telescoping with thestem of said valve-turning device, a

spiral groove or slot and a member consti tuting an operativeconnectionbetween the push-member and said stem whereby thevalve-turning device is turned by the reriprocations of the push-member,a helical or convolu'te spring contained within said fitting between thepush-member and valveturning device and surrounding said stem thereof,said spring being adapted to retract the push-member and-to hold thevalve-turning device seated, and a rack and catch latching device forsecuring the pushmember to the fitting at different points to hold thevalve in any desired position.

6. The combination with a valve, and a hollow fitting, of valveoperatingmeans comprising a push-member telescoped with the fitting, a concaveseat in the hollow fitting, a tapered packing device received within theconcave seat, a helical or convolute retracting spring located withinthe fitting and bearing against thepush member and the tapered packingdevice, andmeans for securing the push-member against movement.

7. The combination with a valve, of operating means therefor comprisinga springactuated push -member, and a releasable latch for saidpush-member embodying a rack and pinion or star wheel, and a releasablestop d vice engageable with said star wheel or pinion.

S. The combination with a valve, of operating means therefor comprisinga springactuated push-member, and a releasable latch for saidpush-member embodying a rack and pinion or star wheel, and a swinginglatch having a pivoted piece engageable with the pinion or star wheel.

9. The combination with a valve, of a fitting, valve-operating meanscomprising a valve-turning device, a push-member telescoping with thefitting, guiding means adapted to prevent turning of said pushn'ieinber,a spiral or convolute spring within the fitting and interposed betweenthe valveturning member and the push-member, a spiral slot and a memberreceived therein constituting an operative connection between thepush-member and valve-turning device, a rack on the fitting, a pinion orstar wheel carried by the push-member and en gaged with said rack, and aswinging latch carried by the push-member and having a pivoted piecewhich is engageable with the pinion or star wheel to lock the latter andhence the push-member in any desired p0 sition.

10. The combination with a valve casing or shell having a continuouscircular internal flange or rib, of a butterfly valve adapted to seatagainst said continuous flange or rib when closed, and valve-operatingmeans comprising a concave seat within the valve casing a rotatorytapered valve turning member fitting in said seat, a push member, and anoperative connection between said push -member and valve turning memberwhereby the sliding movement of the pushmember swings said valve, and aspring bearing on the push member and valve turn- 1 the valve is closedand extending from the region of one end of the axis of the valve to theother end thereof with lateral branch ribs and channels connecting themain ribs and channels aforesaid in the region of the ends of the axisof the valve, to thereby provide a sealed joint between the valve andits seats, and means for operating the valve.

12. The combination with a valve casing or shell having an internalflange or rib, of a butterfly valve adapted to seat against said flangeor rib when closed, aid butterfly valve resting on, and having a pivotalconnection with, the said internal rib or flange at a point higher thanthe internal surface of the valve casing or shell adjacent thereto, andterminating short of said internal surface of the casing, whereby thesaid pivot is protected from rusting, and means for operating the valve.

13. The combination with a valve casing or shell having an internalflange or rib, of a butterfly valve adapted to seat against said flangeor rib when closed, said butterfly valve resting on, and having apivotal connection with the said internal rib or flange at a pointhigher than the internal surface of the valve casing or shell adjacentthereto, said internal rib or flange being provided with a condensationwater drain or K vent below the point of support of the valve and saidvalve having a rib adapted to close said drain or vent when the valve isclosed, whereby the pivot is protected from rusting, and means foroperating the valve.

14. The combination with a valve casing or shell having an internalflange or rib, of a valve-turning device having a tapered part fitting aconcavity in the shell or casing and protruding into the valve chamber,and a butterfly valve provided with a projection received within andengaging the tapered part of the valve-turning device, said valve beingcut away or notched on opposite sides of said projection and snuglyreceiving the tapered end of the valve-turning device, and

mating ribs and channels provided on the valve and its seat-flange inthe region where the tapered end of the valve-turning device engages thenotched portion of the valve.

15. The combination with a valve casing or shell having an internalflange or rib, of a butterfly valve adapted to seat against said flangeor rib when closed, said flange having a cut out portion whose uppersurface is at a point higher than the internal surface of the valvecasing or shell adjacent thereto, a pivot gudgeon provided with acollar, rising from said cut-out portion, a drain or vent openingextending through the flange in one corner of the cut-out portion, abutterfly valve resting upon said outout portion and mounted on saidpivot gudgeon, said valve being provided with a rib adapted to enter thedrain or vent when the valve is closed, said valve extending downwardlybelow the upper level of the cut-out portion on opposite sides of theflange aforesaid.

16. In a valve, the combination with a fitting or shell having a taperedconcavity, of a valve-turning device having a conical part fitting andadapted to turn in said concavity, a valve operable by saidvalve-turning device, and a spring acting on said valve-turning deviceadapted to hold it in said concavity.

17. In a valve, the combination with a fitting or shell having a taperedconcavity, of a valve-turning device having a conical part fitting andadapted to turn in said concavity, a valve operable by saidvalve-turning device, means for turning said valveturning device whichis movable in relation thereto, and a spring interposed between saidvalve-turning device and said turning means and which retracts the meansfor turning the valve and also holds the valveturning device in saidconcavity.

18. The combination with a valve casing or shell having a continuouscircular internal flange or rib, of relatively offset semi-circulardisks constituting a single butterfly valve of circular shape adapted toseat against said flange or rib when closed, said valve and flange beingprovided with double lines of channels and cross channels connectingthem and corresponding ribs arranged to fit within each other when thevalve is closed to thereby provide a sealed joint between the valve andits seat, and means for operating the valve.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiix my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

EDWARD E. OETTINGER.

Witnesses:

W. D. CORNELL, HENRIETTA M. WALLACE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

